Figure 4

Detection of posterior pericardial effusion in a 28-year old female patient affected by non Hodgkin's lymphoma and treated by CHOP (Cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m 2 + Adriamycin 50 mg/m 2 + Vincristine 2 mg + Prednisone 100 mg) and previous mediastinal radiation therapy. The usual grading of pericardial effusion takes into account the diastolic separation between epicardium and pericardium: 1. small = < 10 mm corresponding to 300 ml, 2. moderate = 10–20 mm corresponding to 500 ml, 3. severe = > 20 mm corresponding to > 700 ml). In this patient the diastolic separation is < 10 mm (both in long and in short-axis vies), indicating mild pericardial effusion. Upper panel; visualization of diastolic pericardial effusion in parasternal long-axis (left panel) and short-axis view (right panel). Lower panel: visualization of systolic pericardial effusion in parasternal long-axis (left panel) and short-axis view (right panel).